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Peter Dennis Matheson, 69, passed away surrounded by friends and family on Jan 5, 2015. He was born in Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island on October 12, 1945 and spent his early years in Barrington. At age 12, his family moved to Arizona. He graduated from MHS and served as student body president of MCC before entering the US Navy. After an honorable discharge, he worked as an airline pilot. Peter is survived by his children: Shelly (Mike) Beutler, Kim (Clancey) Fox, Aaron (Robyn) Matheson, Dené (TK) Schiefer, Sara (Jess) Maier, 23 grandchildren and his beloved dog, Teddy; siblings: Arnold Matheson, Debby (Jerry) Porter, Sue Anne (Don) Echols, and sister-in-law Pauline Matheson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mildred (Buckless) Matheson, brother, Raymond, and son, Quinn.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11:00AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201, with a viewing 1 hour prior to services.

Loreine Turley Despain passed away on Monday, January 5, 2015 in Mesa at the age of 78. She was born February 8, 1936 in Woodruff, AZ to Wallace Mar and Margaret Wimmer Turley.  Loreine graduated from Mesa High School, then attended college at Dixie State as well as BYU. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Isles, serving in England, Wales, and Scotland. Loreine married Robert Lee Cusick June 29, 1963 in Mesa. He was serving in the US Airforce at Williams Field. They then served at Rosieres-en-Haye, France where she taught the servicemen’s children school and gave birth to her first two children, Ivan and Warren. Later, two more children, Julianne and Gary were born in Mesa while Robert was away serving in Thailand and Japan. This marriage later ended.  After being single for 5 years, Loreine married Claude Henry Despain March 12, 1982 in Mesa. With this marriage a family of 14 was created. The next years were spent continuing to raise the children from both spouses. Then for several years, they operated a Post Office Substation in East Mesa.

She was an active member of her church and Relief Society and faithfully served in many positions throughout her life.  She enjoyed cooking, and would always share her treats with others and especially children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Claude and her children: Ivan, Warren (Nickie), Julianne Orren, and Gary (Audra); her Step-children: Annette (Ron) Smith, Pat Jensen, Laura (Nathan) Burk, Brenda (Ed) Thompson. She is also survived by her brothers: Alan and Wayne Turley, 38 grandchildren and 9 Great-Grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Her parents preceded her in death, along with her sisters Ella Mae Judd and Donna Turley; step-sons: LaMar, Carl, Calvin, and Dean Despain, and grandsons Nathaniel Orren and Ira Jensen. Funeral services will take place Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 10 am with a viewing from 9 to 9:45 at the Mesa South Stake Center located at 2334 East Pueblo Ave, Mesa.  Friends may visit at the Bunker Garden Chapel located at 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa.  Friday, January 9 from 6 to 8 PM. Interment will be at Mesa City Cemetery.

Harry Leavenworth Stanton III passed away on January 3, 2015 at age 88 in Mesa, Arizona. He was born on May 30, 1926 to Harry Jr. and Lucille Stanton in Detroit, Michigan. Surviving him are his wife: Lane (Bryant); children: David, Robin, Kathleen, and Timothy; ten grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and brothers: Richard and Thomas (Llewellyn). He was a WWII veteran, machine-tool builder, and small business owner. He enjoyed sketching, painting, hiking, volunteering, and traveling. Visitation and Vigil, will be held Friday, January 9, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa (480) 830-4105. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal church, 322 N. Horne, Mesa, at a later date. Interment at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona; 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85024. In lieu of flowers donations to Hospice of the Valley are suggested.

Delbert Lamar “Duffy” Nielsen, 89, passed away December 27, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona with his family by his side. He was born November 13, 1925 in St. Johns, Arizona. He was the 14^th child of Fred and Mary (Holgate) Nielsen. As a child he never visualized his life other than being on the ranch. Duffy proudly served his country when World War II broke out. He enlisted in the Coast Guard which was under the direction of the US Navy in 1943. He was honorably discharged on November 21, 1945 at the end of the war. He joined the Naval Reserve from June 1947 through April 1955. Duffy met and married Mary Josephine Lindsey on October 25, 1946. After Mary Jo passed away in February 1983 he retired from the Mesa Police Department after 25 years of service. He then met and married Louise R. Adams, October 21, 1983.

He is survived by his wife, Louise R. Nielsen, his sister, Christeen Hall, daughters, Sandra Shaffer (Jim), Jacque Long (Jerry), and son, Del Nielsen Jr (Irene), 16 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 6-8 pm, Friday at Bunkers University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday at the Mesa South Stake Center, 2334 E Pueblo Ave., Mesa. Burial will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, Brown Rd. and Center.

Joseph Michael “Mikey” Allred, 19, of Queen Creek, Arizona, passed away very peacefully December 26, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born July 14, 1995 in Provo, Utah and was the youngest of six children. Mikey had the natural ability to make you laugh and had a heart of gold. He was a friend to all and will be missed greatly.

Mikey is survived by his parents, Steve and Cheryl Allred, sisters Nikki Dopp (Bryce), Jenna Michael (Gary) and Sara Randall (Brick); brothers Danny and Davey, as well as 11 nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 at the LDS Church at 19413 S Sossaman Rd, Queen Creek, Arizona.  The service begins at 10:00 am, preceded by a vistation at 9:00 am.  Interment following the services will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Arrangements handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona.

Mrs. Nancy Garland, age 87, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Hopkinsville, KY, passed away on December 24th, 2014 of natural causes.

Visitation services will be on Friday evening, January 2nd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, located at 33 North Centennial Way, in Mesa, AZ.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 3rd, 2014 at College View Baptist Church, located at 1810 South Longmore,  in Mesa, AZ. , with Pastor Mitch McDonald officiating.

Mrs. Garland was born on September 2nd, 1927 in Big Meadow, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Elliott P. Gibbs and Katie (Killebrew) Gibbs. She attended Bethel College, in Hopkinsville, KY and performed as Managing Bookkeeper for a variety of businesses in Hopkinsville, including the U.S. Government Housing Authority.

Mrs. Garland also served, on a volunteer basis, as a Western Kentucky Regional Secretary for the Reverend Billy Graham during special events and as bookkeeper and secretary for the Casa De Amor Mission in Mesa, AZ. Mrs Garland was a faithful member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, KY and later College View Baptist Church, in Mesa, AZ.

Mrs. Garland was preceded in death by her first husband, Stanley Mason, Jr. in 1977, a World War II Veteran and a U.S. Government Employee, and later, her second husband, Jack Garland in 2002. Mrs. Garland had two sisters and two brothers, although she is survived only by her younger sister, Betsy Walton, of Hopkinsville, KY.  Her survivors also include three sons, Ronald G. Mason, of Mesa, AZ, James H. Mason, of Hopkinsville, Ky. and David W. Mason , of San Tan Valley, AZ. Mrs. Garland is also survived by four grandchildren, Andrew and Aaron Mason, of Hopkinsville, Ky. , Tara Draper, of Goodyear, AZ. and Matthew Mason, of San Tan Valley, AZ.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at Bunker Family Funeral Home, located at 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa AZ. 85201.

Eugene Richard Brauer was born May 24, 1936 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to J. Fred Brauer Sr. and Edna Snelling Brauer. Eugene passed away on December 26, 2014 at the age of 78 in Phoenix, Arizona. Eugene was married to Martha Ann Wasson on April 14, 1956. Martha preceded Eugene in death on August 10, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his brother John F. Brauer Jr. and sister Katherine Purdue of Colorado Springs. Martha and Eugene celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary by taking a cruise to Panama in April 2006. Eugene is survived by a daughter Marla Briggs (Spence), and a son Benjamin (Heidi), and 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Eugene has been an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since January 1962, serving in many church positions including Scout Master, Elders Quorum President, Bishop Counselor, Bishop (twice), a counselor in the Stake Presidency, High Priest Quorum Leader, Stake Young Men’s Leader, Ward and Stake Employment Specialist, and as an Ordinance Worker at the Mesa Temple, a position he loved dearly. Eugene graduated from the University of Colorado, in 1959, with a B.S. Degree in Engineering. Eugene began his engineering career in California working for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Eugene later went to work as a Consulting Engineer in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Arizona with one firm for over forty-two years. The name of the same company changed over the years from Nelson, Haley, Patterson and Quick (NHPQ) to ARIX and finally Versar. Eugene was a devoted husband to Martha, father, grandfather, and friend and will be greatly missed. Eugene also spent many years of his life in Arizona, designing municipal swimming pools. Eugene designed just about every municipal swimming pool in the Phoenix Valley. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 at the Miller Ward building, 933 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ. Viewing will be held an hour prior to funeral services at 10 AM. Graveside services will be 12:30 PM on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 in Colorado Springs @ Colorado Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 S. Hancock. Family suggests donations to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ  85014

Joseph Michael Allred, 19, passed away December 26, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 2, 2014 at 10:00 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9:00 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Remington Ward Chapel, 19413 S. Sossaman Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 480-696-6883.

Stephen Leonard Ray, 65, passed away December 22, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at the LDS Centennial Ward Chapel, 422 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Interment at City of Mesa Cemetery.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Camilo Rojas, age 94, passed away December 18, 2014 in Gilbert, Arizona. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2014 at 4:00 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85213.

Irvin Monroe Howard, Jr., age 59, passed away on December 11, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. A graveside service is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 9 AM at the Salt River Cemetery, 10661 E. Palm Lane, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Louis Felice, 82, passed away December 15, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. A visitation will be held Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Friday, December 19, 2014 at 10:00 AM at All Saints Catholic Church, 1534 N. Recker Road, Mesa, Arizona.

Mike McCarthy of Phoenix Arizona, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2014 with his wife Jo and her children at his side. He was born in 1938, on a small farm in Raheen, Bantry County Cork, Ireland. His parents, the late Charles and Julia McCarthy and brother Jim proceeded him in death. He is survived by his brother Charles and Sister Mary. He is also survived by daughters Terrie and Susan, sons Wayne and Tim. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Jo and her children Royce, Tamara, Ramon, Randall, and their families. Mike served in the US Air Force before his employment in the auto repair and pharmaceutical industries. After immigrating from Ireland, he received his US Citizenship which was his proudest accomplishment. He was driven by his love of God, country and family. One of Mike’s most cherished accomplishments was the publishing of his life story, “Irish by Birth, American by the Grace of God”. Mike was known for his positive, engaging nature and endless jokes. His ashes will be interned at the National Veterans Memorial Cemetery on North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona on January 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM. Mike’s Celebration of Life ceremony is being planned for the spring in Payson (date to be announced).  Mike’s family and loved ones are eternally grateful for the loving, compassionate care of the Hospice of the Valley organization.

Mary Joan Goodman Barber, known as “Nana” by so many, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones on December 11, 2014 in Gilbert, Arizona. She led a very happy, fulfilled life with family and friends. On May 4, 1950 she married Joseph Alexander Barber Jr. and they were happily married over 61 years raising their four children; Mary Ann Parry (Dennis), Phyllis Carlene Weberg (Don), JoAlice Garbrick (Bob) and David Allen Barber (Belinda). She has 26 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her eternal companion Joseph and two grandsons, Joseph and Jacob. As a family they all enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and loved the outdoors. They eventually became campground hosts and purchased a home in Springerville. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints they served several missions at the Mesa Family History Center.

A viewing will be held Friday, December 19th from 6-8 PM at the Gilbert Ward building, 1150 W. Elliot Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85233. The funeral will be at 10 AM Saturday, December 20th at the same location with a viewing prior at 9 AM. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Dr. George N. Smith, 87, Mesa resident and longtime Arizona educational leader, passed away on December 10, 2014 after suffering a serious fall at his home.  Up to that day, George was physically healthy, mentally sharp, and fiercely independent. He lived his life to the fullest and touched the lives of thousands through his accomplishments as an educator, his public service, and his love of people.

George was born on February 11, 1927 in Safford, Arizona, the third son and youngest child of Howard and Lillie Smith, who had moved to the neighboring town of Thatcher from Kentucky in the early 1920’s after Howard was gassed in WWI.  He graduated from Thatcher High School in 1944. George excelled in all sports in high school, and was recognized as one of the finest basketball players in the state during his era.  In his early teens, he was deeply impacted by the death of his older brother and hero James, who was killed in action in the Philippines early in WWII.  This moved George to enlist in the U.S. Army and become a paratrooper, even though he could have received an exemption from service.  He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia when the war ended.  After completing his Army service, George returned to Arizona to attend Gila College for a short while and to marry Mary Alice Ellsworth from Safford. They were wed June 3, 1947 in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple, and began a partnership whose earthly portion would last more than 57 years.  George and Mary Alice were soon headed to the University of Utah, where George studied engineering and played basketball for the national powerhouse Runnin’ Utes.  George reveled in his time at Utah, especially the annual road trip the team took to play before the large crowds and national press at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  Later in college, he changed his major from engineering to education, which set the stage for a long career serving the children of Arizona.  George played basketball well enough at Utah to earn an offer to play for the Boston Celtics of the then fledgling National Basketball Association.  However, the NBA at that time was part-time work that paid slightly less than a job as a head teacher, so George turned down the opportunity to go to Boston, and instead moved with Mary Alice and new daughter Diana to the small farming town of Arlington, Arizona where he became head teacher/principal of the area school.  He was only 22 years old.

After four years in Arlington, George accepted the job of superintendent of the Flowing Wells School District in Tucson, where he would serve for the next fourteen years.  During his tenure at Flowing Wells, the district became nationally known for excellence, a culture that continues to thrive nearly 50 years later.  Although just in his 30’s, George was recognized throughout the state and country as a leader in school planning, finance and leadership.  In 1967, under George’s leadership, Flowing Wells High School was recognized as the finest high school in the country. That same year, he was named superintendent of the Mesa Unified School District.  While George was superintendent, Mesa grew nearly three fold to become the largest school district in Arizona, with over 50,000 students.  He directed the building of 45 new schools.  The district also became widely known as a leader in educational achievement and won numerous state and national awards for excellence and innovation. As a tribute to his service in Mesa, George N. Smith Junior High School is named after him. He took a personal interest in “his” school, and was active in school activities, including funding scholarships for student-athletes at the school.

In addition to his degree from Utah, George earned a Masters Degree from Arizona State and an EdD at Stanford University and Arizona State.

After retiring from Mesa, George served as an Executive Vice President of Northern Arizona University.  At NAU, he directed the effort to establish satellite campuses around the state, which has enabled thousands of Arizonans to earn degrees without leaving their hometowns. He finally left education in 1988, becoming the Arizona dealer for the Thomas Bus Company, one of the largest school bus manufacturers in the country.  In 1992, George retired, and he and Mary Alice settled in Mesa. They served for many years as ordinance workers in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple, a calling they both loved.  Mary Alice passed away unexpectedly in 2004.  George was noted for his long morning walks around the neighborhood with his dogs.  Those walks would often take hours, as he stopped to chat with neighbors, children waiting for the school bus, postal workers, city workers, and whoever else with whom he could strike up a conversation.  George loved people and people loved him.

During his long career, George received numerous awards and recognitions and served with distinction on a variety of boards and commissions.  He was a member of the Arizona State Board of Education for six years, was the founding president of the Arizona School Administrators, was on the Executive Board of the American Association of School Administrators, and was appointed twice by President Ronald Regan to serve on the President’s Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education.  At the time of his death, he was still involved in education, serving on the board of the East Valley Institute of Technology Foundation. His son Scott was also involved in public life, serving as Mayor of Mesa from 2008 to 2014.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lillie, brothers Howard. Jr. and James, sister Mary Jarvis, wife Mary Alice, and grandson Mark Johnson.  He is survived by daughters Diana Thomas (Charles) of Mesa and Jennifer Johnson (Richard) of Bountiful, Utah, sons David (Laura) and Scott (Kimberly), both of Mesa, 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and his long-time companion and best friend Shauna Setlow of Mesa.

A visitation and viewing will be Friday, December 19^th from 6 to 8 PM at the Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Drive in Mesa.

Funeral services are Saturday, December 20th at 11 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,  Mesa Arizona East Stake Center, 2228 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the church.

The family suggests donations to the George and Mary Alice Smith Scholarship Fund at Smith Junior High School in Mesa.

Shirley Yvonne Vest was born on November 24, 1936, in Moorehead, Kentucky. Sadly she passed away on December 6, 2014, peacefully in her sleep.  She is survived by:

Sisters: Geneva Hayes, Ruth Rowlett, Julie Bielki, Mary Jo Koehler, Millie Ledbetter

Husband: Larry D. Vest

Children: Raymond W. Turner, Shelly Y. Lucas, Rodney Vest, Jasmine Vest

Grandchildren: Zack Turner, Kelsey Turner, Erin Turner, Bryan Lucas, Robert L. Lucas (deceased at 22 yrs. old)

Great Grandchildren: Caden Turner, Elle Rose Turner, Tammbra Smith, Desmond G. Brown

Shirley had a total of 11 brothers and sisters.

She was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, 85024.

Shirley was raised during the “Great Depression.” Both of her parents were licensed ministers. Her mother loved gardening, canning, cooking and sewing, which her daughter took up as well. Shirley was a wonderful seamstress, making clothes for her family. She learned to upholstery, reinvented many sofas, chairs, etc.  It took many years to convince Shirley that instant cake mixes were good and a whole lot easier. When her husband became diabetic, she stepped up to the plate and helped him control it by diet alone, which consisted of fresh steamed vegetables, fresh healthy bread and muffins. Shirley learned how to make homemade peanut butter and yogurt. She definitely picked up her mother’s love of cooking as well.

Shirley taught Ballroom Dancing Classes. She had the patience to sew Barbie clothes; she crocheted many different items from blankets to angels and flowers. When Shirley and Shelly started canning jams and jellies, we took turns stirring the hot, boiling fruit for over an hour and later learned that Pectin thickens the fruit almost instantly. We had such a good laugh.

She held jobs such as cashier, waitress, and bartender and in her later years, temple worker in her church. She lived in Kentucky, Ohio, England, Wyoming and Arizona. At the age of 28 years old, she became very sick with mono and then arthritis, which changed her life forever. She now had many challenges of dealing with this disease and the pain associated with it. Shirley loved animals, she always had a dog in her home. She married at the age of 15 with her parents’ permission.  She had two children and divorced in 1968. Shirley married Larry D. Vest in 1977.

When you entered her home she always made you feel welcome and tried to feed you, hungry or not, she wanted to share with you. She treasured her family, their reunions and the kids always touched her heart. Shirley loved to read and learn through classes in tailoring, yoga, belly dancing for exercise and dough art. She was a Softball Coach and a Girl Scout Leader. She loved gardening, decorating and remodeling her home(s).

Shirley would always try to help others anyway she could.  In her final days, her kidneys were failing and she came down with dementia. She suffered horrible pain. As much as we loved her and will miss her always…. we are glad she is no longer suffering so badly. We feel she will be an angel watching over her family, until we meet again. With great love, respect, rest in peace Shirley, Mother, Wife, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Friend…… your loving family.